Finalists will be announced and tickets will go on sale in August and the winners will be awarded at the NEXT Awards + Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Fame Event on November 7, 2018, at Rocketown.

This night was built on the belief that big ideas and the innovators behind them deserve to be celebrated. The awards will shine a light on a diverse roster of Middle Tennessee game changers, at every stage, in every industry.

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INDUSTRY AWARDS:

HealthcareYour company is focused on developing the future of the healthcare sector.

Music and Media/EntertainmentYour company has set the bar by contributing to the music, media or entertainment industry fromcontent creation to delivery as well as other methods.

Products and ServicesYour company is offering dynamic goods and services that target a consumer or business market. From main street retail to wall street business services, your company is driving growth.

Social Enterprise and Sustainability Your company addresses a basic unmet need, solves a social problem, or prioritizes reducing your environmental impact all through a market-driven approach.

Family BusinessFamily, in any form, has been a critical part of the establishment, growth and leadership of your successful company. *Qualification: The family should own a majority share in the company or there should be at least one family member in company or board leadership.

TechnologyYour company has utilized the benefits of a thriving technology sector in order to solve a problem or make an impact in your respective industry.

ADDITIONAL AWARDS:

Game Changer You are a trailblazer and your company is disrupting the marketplace and creating a new niche in reaction to market demand. This award recognizes an individual.

Intrapreneurial Company of 2018Your company may not be the hottest new startup, but you value and foster innovation as well asmanifest new ideas internally.

Young Entrepreneur of 2018Who says age determines entrepreneurial success? You have the hustle and skill needed to start your own endeavor which is impacting Nashville’s startup landscape. *Qualification: Under 30 (birthday must be after 11/1/1988)

Entrepreneur of 2018You exemplify the ideals of entrepreneurship by starting and successfully managing one or more businesses in a way that demonstrates notable entrepreneurial characteristics, creates jobs and economic impact and contributes to the vibrancy of our community.

SELECTION PROCESS:

The selection of winners for the NEXT Awards is a multistage process. The first round of judging will be led by Nashville CPA firm, KraftCPAs, with the second round consisting of judges by category. These judges represent Nashville business leaders who demonstrate a strong level of industry expertise, passion for innovation, and exemplary commitment to the startup ecosystem. The deadline for application submissions is July 19th. Award finalists will be announced on August 22nd and winners will be announced at the NEXT Awards + Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Fame event on November 1st.

Meet the 2018 Judges:

DR. CARMEN APRIL, The Foot And Ankle Healthcare Center

MATT WESTDexterity

ANDREW GOLDNERGrowthX

DAINA STOREYSocial Enterprise Alliance

DANIEL OPPONGBriovation

MARCUS COBBJammber

JILL VAN BEKELaunchTN

GREG LEWISTennessee Center for Family Business

LIZ ROGERSAnacrusis

MITCH BALLARD DevDigital

TARA HOUSTONPathway WBC

LOGAN CROWELLHelping Our Music Evolve

DON LEYRERFormer Chair of SEA- Nashville Chapter

ANGELA CRANE JONES

JUSTIN LEVENSON

SANDI HOFF Nashville Technology Council

ABOUT:

The 2018 NEXT Awards + Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame will take place on November 7, 2018.

The NEXT Awards recognize the entrepreneurs, startups, and entrepreneurial-minded businesses who make a significant impact on the economy in Middle Tennessee. All stages of companies, from emerging startups to well-established market movers, are celebrated during this event as contributors to making Nashville one of the best cities in the U.S. to start a business.

Each year the Nashville Entrepreneur Center inducts a new class into its Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame. This honor celebrates visionary business leaders and companies who have laid a foundation of support and helped foster entrepreneurship in Nashville. These innovative leaders have made an indelible mark on Music City and represent both the great past and bright future of Nashville.

2018 SPONSORS:

2018 PRESENTING SPONSOR

Interested in becoming a sponsor of NEXT Awards + Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame?Please contact:Anne Elizabeth McIntosh, VP of Community Investmentanneelizabeth@ec.co

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